Canadian anthem singer changes lyric to protest Trump at 4 Nations Face-Off

The singer who performed the Canadian anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night changed a lyric in "O Canada" to protest President Donald Trump’s repeated comments about annexing Canada as the 51st state. 

Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from "in all of us command" to "that only us command." 

Trump, meanwhile, repeated his calls for Canada to become the 51st state on Thursday afternoon, before the start of the hockey championship game. 

Why did the Canadian anthem singer change the lyric? 

Kreviazuk later confirmed that the lyric change was in response to Trump. 

What they're saying:

During Canada’s 3-2 overtime victory, Kreviazuk told The Associated Press that she did it "because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism."

RELATED: What would it take for Canada to become the 51st state?

"I’m somebody who grew up on music that spoke to the heart and the moment, and it shaped me as a songwriter and really as a human being," she added. "I don’t think it would be authentic to me to be given a world stage and not express myself and be true to myself."

Kreviazuk, who is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, also wrote the phrase "that only us command" with mascara on her left hand. She posted a picture of that on her Instagram. 

"I just put it on there so if I ever had a moment and I kind of froze, I would be able to look at my hand and see it," Kreviazuk said. "I’d love to see people sort of get inspired and catch the fire and say their heart more in their art. ... Sometimes you just got to speak the truth in your art and it’s awesome. That’s what it should be about."

The NHL declined to comment. 

Did Americans boo the Canadian anthem? 

Fans in Boston lightly booed Kreviazuk’s version, though it was soon drowned out by her singing. The crowd in Montreal booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to U.S. tournament games at Bell Centre last week, more vociferously before the team faced Canada.

Why are tensions rising between the U.S. and Canada? 

Big picture view:

Tensions have risen between the neighbors and longtime allies over the past several weeks as Trump has suggested multiple times that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. He’s threatening steep tariffs as a way to force Canada into becoming part of the U.S. 

"I think they have to become the 51st state," Trump said Thursday. "And, you heard the people booing the national anthem, but I think ultimately they'll be praising the national anthem. We'll have to work out some deal with it, because I do like the ‘O Canada’ … It's a beautiful thing. I think we're going to have to keep it for the 51st state."

The other side:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that will never happen.

"You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game," Trudeau posted on X after Canada won the hockey championship. 

David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, said the same when asked about it Thursday. 

"Canada is a sovereign and independent country. It has been for over 150 years and will remain so. This discussion of 51st state is a non-starter," McGuinty said.